MOREHEAD, Ky. -- As the excitement builds for 2024-25, athletics is taking a look back at some great moments that defined the 2023-24 seasons. Today, we highlight the football team's epic rally to defeat Valparaiso 24-21 on the road last fall.
On Oct. 14 in northern Indiana, things weren't looking great for the Eagles. But, a fourth quarter shot in the arm sparked MSU to one of the program's best comebacks in history.
Morehead State scored 17 fourth-quarter points, including two long touchdown passes to eventually tie the game, and junior kickerÂ
Nathan Hazlett booted a game-winning 28-yard field goal with no time left.
The Eagles put together drives of 92, 80 and 76 yards on their three possessions in the fourth quarter alone (for 248 total yards in the quarter). The final push included a 64-yard pass from QBÂ
Carter Cravens toÂ
Trevon Kleint to the Beacon 23-yard line that eventually set up Hazlett's heroics. But it came with some drama. Hazlett initially missed a 39-yard try for the win, but he was roughed up on the play, moving the ball half the distance to the goal line. On the untimed down, he smashed it through the uprights to set off the sideline celebration.
Trailing 14-7, Cravens connected with top targetÂ
Ryan Upp on a 64-yard score with 6:03 remaining in the game to tie it 14-14. But the home team marched right down and re-took the upper-hand on a six-yard TD toss.
The kickoff set up MSU at its own 20-yard line. On the first play of the drive, Cravens rolled out and found Upp down the sideline wide open. He raced 80 yards to the end zone, the longest TD play this season, to knot it again at 21-21.
The Eagle defense forced a three-and-out, but the Valpo punter boomed a kick to the Eagle 13-yard line. Amazingly, Cravens bought time again in the pocket and threw a dart to Kleint, who slipped behind the defense and raced 64 yards to the Beacon 23-yard line. AÂ
Chance Harris one-yard rush to the middle of the field set up the final heroics.
